CHAPTER 6
The Beast's lips drew back in a snarl as Gaston entered the basement. But when he saw Belle following, his expression softened. "Belle?" he whispered incredulously.
Gaston unlocked the door of the cage, but when Belle ran to go in, he quickly stepped in front of the doorway, blocking her way. "Now, now, Belle," he said reprovingly. "You know I can't allow a helpless girl like you to get too close to this dangerous creature."
Frustrated, Belle moved aside and looked at the Beast through the bars. She was horrified by what she saw. He was chained, and she could see that he was badly hurt. His body was covered with welts and wicked-looking wounds that reminded Belle of the damage inflicted by the wolves so long ago. His once-glossy fur was matted and streaked with blood. He looked weak and utterly exhausted.
But his smile was warm as he gazed at her. "Belle," he said, wonder in his voice. "I thought I'd never see you again."
Her eyes filled with tears as she gripped the bars. "I'm so sorry," she told him. "This is all my fault."
"That's true," agreed Gaston, leaning casually against the doorway of the cage. "If you had agreed to marry me when I first asked you, none of this would have happened."
Belle glared at him. "Why are you doing this to him?" she demanded angrily.
"You heard the villagers," replied Gaston, smirking. "Can't keep a dangerous, vicious monster around innocent women and children. Gotta soften him up a bit, make him easier to control."
Belle noticed a bowl of water on the floor near the Beast, but no sign of food: no other bowl, no crumbs or bones littering the cage. "Are...are you starving him, too?" she asked incredulously.
"Why, yes, now that you mention it," said Gaston nonchalantly. "Oh, but don't worry, Belle. I'm sure I'll feed him tomorrow, or the next day. After all, I wouldn't want him to die on me." He smirked. "Not yet, anyway."
Belle whirled to face him. "You're a monster, Gaston!"
Gaston's eyes narrowed. "That's the second time you've called me that. I think it's time you learned some manners." He grabbed his whip and held it up menacingly.
Belle stared in disbelief. "I swear, if you so much as lay a hand on me--"
"Don't be ridiculous," scoffed Gaston. "I'm the town hero, remember? Do you really think I'd sully my reputation by beating up a girl? Wouldn't do much for my image, now would it?
"Besides," he continued, caressing the whip, "there are so much more effective ways to punish you." Without warning, he suddenly whirled and brought the whip down on the helpless Beast. The sharp lash bit cruelly into one of his wounds. The Beast howled in pain.
"NO!" screamed Belle, throwing herself at Gaston. She grabbed his arm, but he was much too strong for her. With his other hand, he pushed her away roughly. "Gaston, stop!"
But he didn't stop. He lashed the Beast mercilessly. Belle shuddered each time the whip brutally struck the Beast's abused flesh.
Finally, after 10 strokes, Gaston lowered his arm. The Beast was bleeding freely from numerous wounds. He struggled to remain conscious through the red haze of pain that enveloped him. He couldn't afford to black out now - not with Belle's life at stake.
"Why are you doing this?" cried Belle. "What do you want?"
"The same thing I've always wanted," replied Gaston. "To marry you."